FUN & GAMES.

Face facts!

When it comes to acne myths, get in the clear

May 08, 2001|By Catharine Bell. Special to the Tribune.

Shiners. Third-eyes. Zits. No matter what you call them, pimples are an unwanted fact of life for most teens. Whether you're dealing with an occasional pimple or battling bad breakouts, there are a lot of myths out there about how to bring acne under control.

Think you know the best way to tackle breakouts? Take our quiz and test your acne I.Q.!

1. True or false? Eating chocolate and french fries causes acne.

False. What you eat plays little or no part in causing acne -- so chill out about that order of fries and a chocolate shake! Food sensitivities or allergies could cause unrelated skin problems, but studies show no connection between the sugars and fats in your favorite junk foods and acne. Of course, eating healthy food won't hurt you, either.

2. You can zap your zits with over-the-counter medications.

True. With mild acne, over-the-counter medications can help limit or control breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide products are inexpensive, effective and available at almost any drugstore. Remember: It takes a while for these products to kick in -- about four to six weeks -- so stick with whatever you try. And if you want clear skin for those June parties, start using something now!

3. You should always pop a pimple.

False. When you pop a pimple, the bacteria and dead cells in it spill into surrounding skin and can create more skin problems. Popping a pimple won't even make it go away that much faster; it will just look a little different -- and maybe much worse. Plus, the pimple itself will just get redder and more inflamed -- definitely not what you wanted.

4. Scrubbing your face three times a day helps make acne go away.

False. Sorry, you can't scrub acne away. Scrubbing irritates and injures skin and can make acne look worse. Instead, go easy on your skin. Gently wash your face with mild soap and lukewarm water, then pat dry, once or twice a day. And skip the washcloth; your (clean) hands will do the trick.

5. Sunbathing helps clear up a bad breakout.

True. It's definitely not the smartest solution, but catching a few rays can help dry the top layer of your skin and clear up pimples. When you head for the beach or pool this summer, remember that although a dose of sunshine may help acne, you can permanently damage your skin with too much sun exposure. Don't trade one problem for another! Instead, if your acne doesn't respond eventually to an over-the-counter medication and is pretty severe, consult a dermatologist.